So what exactly is eBay Foundation?

A bit about our history...
The first transaction of its kind, eBay Foundation was established in 1998 when 107,250 of pre-IPO stock valued at approximately $1 million was donated by eBay, Inc.. Now with assets at approximately $33 million, eBay Foundation is governed by a six person board of directors, including eBay and non-eBay employees.

The Foundation has contributed more that $11 million to charitable organizations since inception, including $2.2 million in 2005 alone. The Foundation has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist by the SF Business Times and the SJ Business Journal, and has been cited for having numerous field best practices.

Our Mission...
The mission of eBay Foundation is to make investments that improve the social and economic well-being of our communities. The Foundation accomplishes this mission by 1) funding innovative programs at non-profit organizations 2) Supporting and encouraging employee involvement and 3) creating charitable opportunities that involve eBay community members

A Few of our Major Initiatives...
eBay Foundation has numerous programs that are benefitting society and getting folks excited about community invovlement. One major initiative is the eBay Foundation Techquity Program. Our strategic partner in this progam is the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, a group that does an immense amount of work to support small businesses and the organizations that serve them. Through the program, low to moderate income entrepreneurs are given cash awards up to $1,600 to purchase technology equipment that will help improve their businesses. Local non-profit partners who award the funds to entrepreneurs also receive a grant to support technology training and their own technology needs which in turn help them to better serve their clients.

Our first Techquity award went out in December of 2005 and since that time, we've helped over 150 small business owners purchase new technology equipment! Based on our success to date, we decided to expand the program and expect to help 340 small business owners with their technology needs in 2007. We were pleased that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was equally impressed with our progress and committed $80K to help support the program in their region! Thanks to Ray Daffner, Entrepreneurship Initiative Manager at ARC, for his support and belief in the program.